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by the time they get to 16 it too late to tame them!!!! all you can do is not try to be their friend your the mom not the buddy and if they are out of control restrict them usually the best way to control them is taking the phone and computer away!!!! other than that good luck if it gets really bad check into children homes in your area if you have them and visit one let her see what they do when they get kids and that all privileges are taken away they get to sit in their rooms and do chores for 2 week that every other privilege is earned and timed she may then realize that it's not so bad at home and that she better straighten up before you take her there to live.

She is my baby and has two older sisters 29 & 30, different father, they were the easiest girls in the world. They cared about school, were respectful and would listen. Now the 16 yr old has been difficult since she was an embryo. I've raised them all as a single parent, but by two different husbands. The first two their father wasn't in their life, he's choice. The last one her father left me when I was 6 weeks preg and has been in and out of her life. Even though she wasn't with him she acts just like him, i guess there's something to say about DNA. She has the i don't have to or i don't care attitude. She always in trouble at school, lies, etc...I've tried everything but nothing works with her.

Comment by
Anonymous
(original poster)
at 9:52 PM on May. 22, 2011

You don't. If you're having trouble with her now, it's probably stemmed from parenting choices from earlier years.

With a 17 DD and 2 other children, each of them all very different from each other, here is my advice. If you have truly tried everything. Counseling... etc.

Love her. Sit her down & tell her. I love you. What you are doing is killing me inside and possibly destroying your future. I only want the best for you and it is time for you to start making decisions that will affect your life. You will always have my love and support. That will never change. I will parent you & you wont alway like it, but I will always be here for you.

Then continue doing what you feel in your heart is right. If you punish for bad grades and skipping school do that. You can't give up. You are all she has. It may not feel like it now, but this will pass and one day she will look back on this and wonder how she made it out and how/why you put up with her. But she will be so thankful that you did.